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Babak Karimi

Babak Karimi

Actor and editor · Born March 22, 1960 (66) · Prague, Czechoslovakia

Babak Karimi (Persian: بابک کریمی‎, born 1960) is an Iranian actor. For his role in A Separation, he won the Silver Bear for Best Actor (as part of ensemble) at 61st Berlin International Film Festival in 2011.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
March 22, 1960 (66)
From
Prague, Czechoslovakia
Works as
Actor and editor
Titles
14 on MovieCove · 71 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Up 73% in 30 days

What are Babak Karimi's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
23%
Morality
22%
Survival
20%
Power
16%
Society
8%
Ideas
7%
Self
4%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 3 · Dark 8

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 5 · Intense 6

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 5 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 3

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 2 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 6 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles
Mentor
1 of 3
Shadow
1 of 3
Herald
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
8
Dread
4
Contemplative
4
Warm
1
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy1
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous6

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Babak Karimi's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 7 of their 14 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (3).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Babak Karimi's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

71 credits, 14 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Somewhere Between Memories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    Actor

  • Balcanica (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Jalil

  • Black Rabbit, White Rabbit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Babak / Antonio

  • Savushun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 14 episodes · Actor

  • Sunshine Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as The Judge

  • Guardian of the Field (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Helma's father

  • Azaazil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Nosrat Karimi, Being an Artist in Iran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director · Producer · as himself

  • Now (Aknoon)... (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 62 episodes · Actor's Assistant

  • Terrestrial Verses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as (voice)

  • The Strait (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Hashem

  • Fossil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Khosravi (Savaki)

  • Set Me Free (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Vanished (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as The old man

  • The Siren(2023)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • I Am Forough (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • The Wastetown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Mohandes

  • Bucharest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Visiting Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Lawless City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Salar

  • The Lion Skin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Odyssey of Solitude (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Victor

  • The Loser Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • (Im)perfetti Criminali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Amir

  • Until Tomorrow(2022)

    as Mr. Mahmoudi

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Zeros and Ones(2021)

    as Mullah

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Careless Crime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Mohsen

  • Free - Liberi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Antonio

  • Once Upon a Time in Iran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 23 episodes · as Haji Zarrabi

  • At the End of Evin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Actor

  • I Want To Be Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Show 20 episodes · Actor

  • Majority (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Doctor

  • No Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Karim

  • The Life Ahead(2020)

    as Mr. Hamil

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Dio salvi la regina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Apolide

  • Yalda: A Night for Forgivness(2019)

    as Ayat

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Bad Habits Die Hard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Barbone

  • Timo's Winter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • Cinema Shahre Gheseh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Actor

  • The Role (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Delay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • Invasion To Interpretation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Actor

  • The Vertical Line (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • The Girl's House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • Invasion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Babak

  • The Prosecco Murders(2017)

    as Zio Cyrus

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Gaze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Actor

  • A Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Mansoor Kazim

  • The Salesman(2016)

    as Babak

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Death of the Fish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • I Hate the Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Il était une fois... Une séparation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Fish & Cat(2013)

    as Babak

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • No Where No Body (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • The Past(2013)

    as Shahryar

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • A Separation(2011)

    as Interrogator

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Green Days (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Editor

  • Ex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Collega dottore

  • Quiet Chaos(2008)

    as Mario

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Last Minute Marocco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Zin Krisha

  • Nose Iranian Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Editor

  • Tickets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Editor · First Assistant Director · Producer

  • The Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Editor

  • The Undesirables(2003)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Secret Ballot(2001)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Placido Rizzotto (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Editor

  • I Briganti di Zabut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Editor

  • Marquise(1997)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Morning is Close (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Muncher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Laborer

  • The mirror man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles, 65 of them dated from 1997 to 2026; peak year 2021.

Biggest box office

A Separation (2011)

$23M worldwide

Highest rated

A Separation (2011)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

The Salesman (2016)

Film career

19972026

Peak 2021 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting59 of 68: 59 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score74thDirecting1 of 68: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 68: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleEditing7 of 68: 6 only editing, 1 with another roleOther crew2 of 68: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1990s2 · crew2000s8 · 3 acting · 5 crew2010s17 · acting2020s38 · 36 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 7% of 15 roles
0717

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Babak Karimi's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 68th percentile, the median of all 14; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 14 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up5
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 14 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser4
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · editor

The Undesirables (2003)

86th percentile spread · 58% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

A Separation (2011)

Midcredits 99th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Babak Karimi's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 20 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles9–26 · median 13 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 24 · mildMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 25 · mildMedian of all films: 33

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Babak Karimi work with?

People who share at least 2 of Babak Karimi's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Asghar Farhadi shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles